HSBC Start Up Stars Business Awards

Portsmouth company names the winner in HSBC start-up stars business awards

MarketMakers, an industry-leading telemarketing company based in Portsmouth, has outperformed hundreds of hopeful businesses to become the winner of the HSBC Start-Up Stars Award.

The national contest, now in its seventh year, is designed to seek out the most promising businesses in the UK and to recognise the entrepreneurial talents behind their creation.

The brainchild of Paul Thomas and Henry Braithwaite, MarketMakers specialises in supporting other companies in their growth strategies through targeted marketing and telemarketing campaigns. While able to work on individual projects, such as launching a new product or service, Market Makers’ main focus is to build long-term relationships with clients, through helping them maximise their potential over time.

Paul and Henry invested their life savings to set up the business and have continued to grow without any third party borrowings. The company has grown steadily and impressively, from a staff of 10 and a turnover of £125,000 in year one to last year’s performance of £2,500,000 from a staff of 85.

Congratulating MarketMakers on their success, Simon Wainwright, Chief Operating Officer for HSBC Commercial Banking, commented on the high quality of entries this year.

“The competition for places has been extremely strong this year, reflecting both the increasing numbers of strong businesses in the UK and their growing professionalism. MarketMakers can be very proud of their success in such a keenly contested fight and we wish them luck for the future”.